Coil-pod wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coil-pod wattle |
|
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
|
| Species: |
pravifolia
|
 |
|
| Occurrence data from AVH | |
Acacia pravifolia, often called the coil-pod wattle, is a special type of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia family, which is well-known for its many wattle plants. This shrub is found only in certain parts of Australia. It is a native plant that makes its home there.
Contents
About the Coil-Pod Wattle Plant
This interesting shrub usually grows to be about 0.1 to 2.0 meters (or 0.3 to 6.6 feet) tall. It has many branches that are tangled and can be prickly. Its small branches are covered in tiny hairs and feel stiff and sharp.
Like most Acacia plants, the coil-pod wattle does not have true leaves. Instead, it has what are called phyllodes. These phyllodes are like flattened leaf stalks that do the job of leaves. They stay on the plant all year round.
The phyllodes are different shapes, often like a triangle or a wedge. They are usually 3 to 15 millimeters long and 2.5 to 7 millimeters wide. Each phyllode has a clear line down the middle, which is its main vein.
This wattle plant blooms with bright yellow flowers. You can usually see these flowers between August and October.
How the Coil-Pod Wattle Got Its Name
The Acacia pravifolia was first officially described by a botanist named Ferdinand von Mueller. He wrote about it in 1858 in his work called Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae.
Later, in 1987, another botanist named Leslie Pedley changed its name to Racosperma pravifolium. However, in 2006, it was changed back to the Acacia group. This shows how scientists sometimes update plant names as they learn more. Another old name for it was Acacia prunifolia.
Where the Coil-Pod Wattle Grows
The coil-pod wattle grows in different areas across Australia, not all in one continuous spot. It is found in three main regions.
Western Australia Homes
In Western Australia, you can find it in the Wheatbelt, Great Southern, and Goldfields-Esperance regions. It stretches from Israelite Bay in the east to Boxwood Hill in the southwest. You can also find it as far north as Wubin.
South Australia Homes
It also grows in South Australia. Here, it is found in the Mount Lofty Ranges and Flinders Ranges. Its range goes from places like Angepena Station down to Burra.
Eastern Australia Homes
You can also spot this wattle in the eastern states of Queensland and New South Wales. In New South Wales, it grows between Cobar and Temora. In Queensland, it is found around Tara and Warwick.
This plant often grows in rocky areas where the soil is not very deep. It is usually part of open shrubland or woodland communities.
